Newcastle United Under 23s

FC Porto B

St. James' Park

Newcastle United Under-23s 0 FC Porto B 1

Oleg Reabciuk’s late winner knocked Newcastle United Under-23s out of the Premier League International Cup and earned FC Porto B a place in the final on Thursday night.

Reabciuk’s close range finish after Nathan Harker’s parry handed the Portuguese side the victory in the semi-final at St. James’ Park, settling what was a close encounter under the lights.

It just wasn’t to be for Newcastle, who just couldn’t quite break down the stubborn holders, who will again feature in the final this term.

In an even opening period, the visitors’ Romario Baro and Bruno Costa had fleeting sights of goal but couldn’t keep their shots down, while Santiago Vera saw an effort blocked by Harker, who rushed off his line to deny the forward.

Vera was then played in by Madi Queta and only had Harker to beat, but couldn’t adjust his feet in time and the Magpies – who later went close through a blocked Callum Roberts free kick and Dan Ward’s charged-down shot – survived.

After the break, United began brightly, with Victor Fernandez causing Porto problems down the right. Roberts’ inswinging corner took a nick off a defender and dropped agonisingly wide of the upright, just seconds before a Dan Barlaser delivery was swiped off the line by goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

Baro headed over when well-placed soon after but the second half, just like the first, was devoid of any real clear-cut scoring opportunities – until the last two minutes.

It was cruel on the hosts, who had looked dangerous in spells, but Reabciuk’s last-gasp winner ended United’s cup hopes at the last-four stage and sent Porto through to the final.